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98 RP. "The 2012 Claret Reserve is a blend of 66% Merlot, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot aged in 40% new French oak for 22 months. The bulk of the fruit comes from the Sonoma side of their vineyards, with about 28% from Napa. There are 586 cases of this red, which is one of the more potent wines in the Pride lineup at 14.9% alcohol. The wine has great intensity, a full-bodied mouthfeel, and loads of créme de cassis, chocolate, plum, licorice and foresty undertones. Full-bodied, with oodles of glycerin, a highly extracted, silky mouthfeel, terrific purity, and length of a good 45 to 50 seconds, this fabulous effort can be drunk now or cellared . . . . Straddling the Napa and Sonoma County lines at the top of Spring Mountain, this exceptionally run winery has an impressive portfolio of wines. For those keeping records of the entire Pride Mountain estate, which traverses both the Napa and Sonoma County lines, there’s a total of 85 acres with over 60 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc as well as small plantings of the other varietals. The average elevation of Pride’s vineyards is 2,100 feet . . ." eRobertParker.com #221, Oct 2015 |